Document text
3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Stouts fire at 15,100 acres, 5 percent contained ... Oregon confident in meeting Obama's new carbon goals ... Circle of Trust luxury treatment facility approved outside Ashland ... Stouts fire at 15,100 acres, 5 percent contained ... Oregon confident in meeting Obama's new carbon goals ... Circle of Trust luxury treatment facility approved outside Ashland ... PREP FOOTBALL Grizzlies pull away Ashland edges Japan All-Stars in Pacific Rim Bowl Comment By Warren Blenkush Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Warren Blenkush Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 1, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Warren Blenkush Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 1, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News ASHLAND — Over the five days preceding the 14th Pacific Rim Bowl, the Ashland High School football players and coaching staff enjoyed the experience of entertaining, housing and bonding with the Japan All-Star team. That time culminated in an entertaining game on Friday which saw the Grizzlies break away in the second half for a 31-23 victory at Southern Oregon University’s Raider Stadium. The contest was a possible series-tying opportunity for the Japanese squad, which won five straight before Ashland captured the most recent two matchups. Instead, Ashland improved to 8-6 in the event which began in 1988 and became a biannual contest in 1993. The Grizzlies seized control on an 85-yard over-the-shoulder grab by Shashi Penn on an in-stride spiral from quarterback Kyle Weinberg, which put Ashland up 31-17. ‘’Our perimeter kids did a good job and he’s obviously one of our top guys,” said Grizzlies coach Charlie Hall of Penn. “From a culture standpoint, this is huge. The game really comes secondary to what these kids can learn from each other. There’s a lot of mutual respect." Japan made things interesting with a bit of trickery and a last-gasp drive that was halted by a Nicky Weinberg-led defense. Japan sliced Ashland’s lead to 31-23 on a flea flicker when the All-Stars’ Takumi Ban gathered the lateral and launched the ball on target to Kohei Oda for a 48-yard score. Japan got the ball with less than a minute left and moved the ball inside the 10-yard line, where Nicky Weinberg deflected two straight passes and, on fourth down, Ashland forced an incompletion to seal the victory. The Grizzlies got on the scoreboard first with a 21-yard field goal by Kyle Weinberg after he worked the ball down the field featuring a series of slants and bubble screens, one of which included a big gain by Michael Pruitt, who sidestepped a tackler and rumbled about 35 yards down the field. After Japan closed the first quarter with a 25-yard field goal by Tsuyoshi Emoto, Ashland quarterback Tucker Atteberry connected with Oliver Warren on a quick slant pattern and he trotted into the end zone from 6 yards out. Ashland regained the lead on an 8-yard swing pass to Michael Pruitt from Kyle Weinberg to make it 17-10. Japan, however, returned the favor on a quarterback keeper by Kengo Nakaoka from 3 yards out to tie it once again at 17-all. Penn had 10 receptions for 173 yards and Walker Shibley added four catches for 72 yards. Kyle Weinberg had 303 yards passing on a 20-for-27 effort. At halftime, four men were entered into the Pacific Rim Bowl Hall of Fame. They included longtime Ashland High School coach Jim Nagel, former Ashland High star and NFL player Chad Cota, as well as Pacific Rim Bowl assistant co-founder Kenjiro Ishiki of Japan. Also christened to the PRB Hall was current Vice Chairman of the American Football Association’s Western Conference in Japan, Akira Furukawa, who was responsible for the birth of the PRB, after meeting with Nagel in 1986. He was also one of the first high school football players in Japan. Reach reporter Warren Blenkush at 541-776-4492 or [email protected] By Warren Blenkush Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Warren Blenkush Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 1, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501